Agents & Apps

Torvalds says AI-found fixes made Linux 7.4 extra big

The two weeks for new code brought almost 20,000 commits, against about 15,000 usually. Torvalds calls it a “much healthier model” that AI-found fixes now arrive early, not during testing.

Linus Torvalds released the first test version of Linux 7.4, called rc1, on Sunday, November 1. He wrote that this was a “BIG” merge window, with almost 20,000 commits, and he linked it to “AI triggered work”. He named a second reason too: many expect 7.4 to be a long-term support version.

Apple Intelligence reaches China in December, with Qwen

Apple’s own models run the features, and Alibaba’s Qwen helps in Siri, Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence. Developers can test it from November 4, and only iPhones get it for now.

Apple said on October 31 that its first Apple Intelligence features are coming to iPhone users in China. Developers can test them in the latest iOS beta from November 4, and the public release follows in December with iOS 27.3. Through a partnership with Alibaba, its Qwen model adds answers in Siri, Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence.

Anthropic lifts Claude’s 5-hour cap for verified Ultra users

Anthropic renamed its $200 Max 20x plan Ultra and its $100 Max 5x plan Max, with no price change. The weekly limits stay, and newer Ultra accounts must wait for an automatic check.

Anthropic renamed its two most expensive Claude plans on October 30. Max 5x is now Max, at $100 a month, and Max 20x is now Ultra, at $200. Verified Ultra accounts no longer have a usage limit that resets every five hours, starting with most existing subscribers. The weekly limit stays the same.

Google takes ads in AI Mode to 10 more countries

Ads now appear in AI Mode answers in countries such as India, Canada and Australia, with Brazil, Mexico and the UK planned next. Google’s search sales grew 12%, more slowly than earlier this year.

Google said on October 28 that it is bringing ads in AI Mode, its chatbot-style search, to 10 countries outside the US. They include Australia, Canada, India, Nigeria and Singapore. In the US, ads will also start to appear in follow-up questions. The news came with Alphabet’s results, which showed search revenue up 12% to $63.35 billion.

GitHub’s Copilot Fusion now picks AI models for each task

Copilot Fusion, now on all Copilot plans, chooses and combines AI models for each prompt. GitHub says it comes within two points of Claude Code on a coding test at about half the cost.

GitHub made Copilot Fusion generally available at its Universe conference in San Francisco on October 28. Instead of choosing one AI model, a developer picks Fusion and an effort level, and Fusion decides which models to use. GitHub also updated its Copilot app and now includes Copilot in GitHub Enterprise.

Opera lets websites use AI that runs on your own PC

Opera’s browsers can now run open AI models on the user’s computer, through a proposed web standard called WebAI. It is an opt-in early preview, and nothing is downloaded until the user turns it on.

Opera started an early preview of WebAI on October 27. It lets websites and browser extensions use AI models that run on the user’s own computer instead of a company’s servers. It starts in Opera One on Windows and Apple-silicon Macs, with Opera GX and Opera Neon to follow, Opera says.

Apple to add AI helpers using OpenAI to its office apps

Keynote, Pages and Numbers get an assistant in beta in November, for Apple Creator Studio subscribers and in US English only. Outside AI agents will also be able to edit these documents on the Mac.

Apple said on October 27 that Keynote, Pages and Numbers will get an AI assistant built on Apple’s models and OpenAI’s. Logic Pro gets its own assistant, built on Apple and third-party models. The update comes in November for Apple Creator Studio, which costs $12.99 a month. Apple has not said what data goes to OpenAI.

Anthropic previews Claude Duet, an always-on work agent

The app sends a morning brief, watches connected apps and does tasks in the background. It is open by waitlist to Pro and Max subscribers in the US.

Claude Duet runs on its own cloud computer, so it keeps working when your phone or laptop is off. Anthropic says it asks for approval before it sends messages, pays, signs documents or deletes anything.

DeepSeek open-sources DeepInfer, the engine behind its API

The free code runs DeepSeek V4.1 Flash on Nvidia’s Blackwell chips and on Huawei’s Ascend 950. Some parts that DeepSeek uses for its own service are still missing.

DeepSeek has published DeepInfer, the software it says runs its own large-scale AI service, under the Apache 2.0 licence. For now it supports one model, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash, on two kinds of chips: Nvidia’s SM100 GPUs and Huawei’s Ascend 950.

Apple Intelligence test due in China this month, Cook says

Tim Cook, now Apple’s executive chairman, told China’s The Paper that Live Translation, Writing Tools and Clean Up come first, without Siri AI. Bloomberg reports a public release in December; Apple has not confirmed it.

Apple executive chairman Tim Cook told The Paper, a state-backed news site in Shanghai, on October 15 that Apple has approval to bring the first Apple Intelligence features to users in China. He said a test version will come later in October. Siri AI is not part of it.

YouTube Music starts labelling songs made mainly with AI

A label on the player now shows when generative AI played a significant role in a song. Music partners declare their AI use, and YouTube also uses its own detection tools.

YouTube Music began showing labels on October 14 for songs created mainly with generative AI, for example when a model made the composition and the vocals. Tapping the label shows more information. YouTube says the labels will also come to the main YouTube app.

Google lets people install their own AI-made Android apps

Apps built with Google AI Studio can now be launched through Google Play with a standard Google account, without a developer account. They stay private, and sharing with friends is planned for the coming months.

Since October 13, people can put an Android app they built with Google AI Studio on their own devices through Google Play. It works for adults in the United States and some other markets. They need only a standard Google account, not the developer account that costs $25. The apps don’t appear in the public store.

Facebook lets people steer their feed in their own words

Meta’s “Your algorithm” controls are coming to Facebook’s Feed and Reels. Meta says large language models now let the feed understand plain requests and change within the same session.

Meta began rolling out “Your algorithm” on Facebook on October 13. From the three-dot menu on a post, people can add and manage the topics they want to see in Feed and Reels. They can also describe in their own words what they want, Meta says, and its AI models use that to change the feed.

Microsoft’s MXC sandbox for AI agents reaches version 1.0

Microsoft Execution Containers keep AI agents inside limits on Windows 11, macOS and Linux. The open-source kit left preview on October 7, and GitHub Copilot and OpenAI’s Codex already use it, Microsoft says.

Microsoft made its Execution Containers (MXC) generally available on October 7, four months after a first preview in June. Version 1.0 of the free, MIT-licensed kit has stable programming interfaces for Rust, .NET and Node.js. It lets developers decide which files and actions an AI agent may reach.

Google’s Gemini agent for work can also run on Claude

Google Cloud says the agent can work on a task for hours or days and pass parts to helper agents with their own email addresses. Google gave no price or launch date for most customers.

Google Cloud announced the Gemini agent on October 8 at its Gemini at Work event. It is one agent for questions, documents, images and code, and it works in Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Slack. It picks a model for each task, from Google’s Gemini or Anthropic’s Claude. Versions for finance and legal work are in preview.

Google’s Playground turns text prompts into games

The experimental website from Google Labs is open to adults in the US. Players can share games or publish them in a gallery, and a Unity tool for 3D games is still in testing.

Google Labs launched Playground on October 7, a website where people make games by describing them in words, with no coding. It is open to users aged 18 and over in the US. Playing is free, and making games has weekly limits that are higher for paying subscribers. No outlet has published a full test yet.

ChatGPT gets GPT-6 and answers with charts and buttons

Paid users get GPT-6 Sol from October 7, and Free and Go users get GPT-6 Luna from October 8. A new feature called Intelligent UI lets answers include charts, forms and small tools.

OpenAI started bringing GPT-6 to the Chat tab of ChatGPT on October 7. Answers can now mix text with diagrams, buttons, forms and charts, a feature OpenAI calls Intelligent UI. ChatGPT can also start answering while it is still thinking. Nobody outside OpenAI has tested the new answers yet.

Claude Code adds mods that can rewrite how the agent works

Plugins can now change prompts, tool calls and the screen of Anthropic’s coding agent. Anthropic warns that mods run with the user’s permissions and are not sandboxed.

Anthropic added Claude Mods to its coding agent Claude Code in version 2.1.287 on October 1. Mods are small JavaScript or TypeScript functions, shipped in plugins, that react to events inside the agent. Anthropic’s documentation says they run with the user’s permissions and are not sandboxed.

Pop!_OS maker bans AI-generated code from its COSMIC desktop

System76 now rejects LLM-written code, comments and descriptions in pull requests and issues across its Pop!_OS projects. Reports say AI-made submissions were swamping reviewers.

System76, which makes the Linux system Pop!_OS and its COSMIC desktop, changed its contribution rules on September 30. Every pull request must now confirm it contains no content generated by an LLM, “including code, comments, and descriptions”. Pull requests without the completed checklist will be closed.

Meta lets hobbyists build their own Muse gadgets

Meta released open-source firmware and a Linux kit that connect cheap boards to its Muse agent. It is also giving away 5,000 Muse Home Link dongles to US subscribers.

Meta launched Muse Gadgets on October 2, an open-source project for building small devices that talk to Muse, its personal AI agent. The firmware and software kits run on ESP32 boards and the Raspberry Pi 5, under the Apache 2.0 licence. Meta also offers a free USB-C Muse Home Link that lets Muse control devices on a home network.

Robinhood launches AI agents that can trade for customers

The agents run on OpenAI and Anthropic models and trade from a separate account. Approval of each trade is on by default, and Robinhood says customers are responsible for what the agents do.

Robinhood announced Robinhood Agents on September 29 at its HOOD Summit in Houston. Customers can set up an AI agent in the mobile app that researches investments and trades stocks, options and crypto from a separate account they fund. OpenAI’s GPT-6 Luna is free until December 31, and other models are billed per use.

OpenAI launches always-on dots agents at DevDay

Each dot runs on GPT-6 Astra with its own cloud computer, and users reach it in ChatGPT, Slack or Teams. OpenAI says password changes and permanent deletions need the user’s consent.

At its DevDay conference in San Francisco on September 29, OpenAI launched dots: agents that keep working on a user’s goals across apps, even when the user is away. They are rolling out first to Pro and Business Premium subscribers. OpenAI also announced the cheaper GPT-6.1 Sol model, a team workspace called ChatGPT Space and a $500-a-month plan.

US launches America.gov, an AI chatbot for public services

It answers questions from about 29,000 government websites, using Google’s Gemini and Elon Musk’s Grok. Forms and applications are promised for early 2027.

The White House launched America.gov on September 29, a single website where people can ask about federal services in plain language. An AI chatbot answers from official government sources and points users to the right agency. An executive order makes the site the main online entry point for federal services, with forms and applications planned for early 2027.

OpenAI holds DevDay a day after shelving a new model

Sam Altman gives the keynote in San Francisco at 10 a.m. Pacific time, 19:00 in Central Europe. OpenAI has not said what it will announce.

OpenAI’s yearly developer conference, DevDay, takes place on September 29 at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The opening keynote featuring Sam Altman starts at 10 a.m. Pacific time and is streamed free online. It comes a day after OpenAI cancelled the release of GPT-6.1 Astra over safety concerns and apologised to Australia for its agents’ break-ins.

Meta brings its Muse agent to small businesses

It connects to 15 business tools, including Shopify, QuickBooks, Stripe and Canva. Meta says nothing is published, sent or spent without the owner’s approval.

Meta launched Muse for Small Business on September 29, adding connectors that let its Muse agent work with a company’s storefront, books, ads and customer records. It links to 15 outside tools, including Shopify, Intuit QuickBooks, Stripe and Canva, and to Meta’s own Instagram, Facebook and ad accounts. Muse is free for most uses, with paid plans for more.

Meta opens a new front in enterprise AI

Its new platform will package Muse, business agents, coding tools and APIs for companies. MongoDB’s CEO is leaving to lead it.

Meta announced the Meta Enterprise Platform on September 28. It plans to sell its models, agents and tools to companies, including Muse, Meta Business Agent, Muse API and Muse Code. Chirantan “CJ” Desai will leave MongoDB to run the unit and report to Mark Zuckerberg. Meta gave no launch dates, prices or revenue target.

ElevenLabs makes AI voices faster and more expressive

Eleven v4 follows written performance directions. Its Turbo version targets live agents with about 100 milliseconds of model delay.

ElevenLabs released Eleven v4 and Eleven v4 Turbo on September 28. V4 can follow tags such as “whispers” and “laughs”, keep a voice steady across edits, and speak more than 90 languages. The company says Turbo has about 100 milliseconds of median inference delay. Both models support voice cloning with verified owner consent.

Cloudflare’s agent browser can now call website tools

Kitesurf adds WebMCP, wider web support and full Browser Run coverage. It remains a beta and is not yet open source.

Cloudflare updated Kitesurf on September 28. The browser runs on Workers and is built for AI agents, not for people. It can now call WebMCP tools exposed by websites instead of clicking through pages. Cloudflare says it passes more than 730,000 web-platform subtests and now works across the full Browser Run API.

Google’s Gemini can now talk to customers as a video avatar

Custom faces from a photo need Google’s approval.

Google made Gemini 3.8 Live with Live Avatar available to Gemini Enterprise customers on September 24. Businesses can build voice agents that appear as a person or a cartoon character, speak 97 languages, and look up data while they talk. Every video carries an invisible SynthID watermark.

Microsoft rebuilt Copilot around work

A new agent keeps working on its own. Bloomberg says Microsoft is quitting the personal-chatbot race.

Microsoft introduced a new Copilot on September 25 with three new parts: Home, Code, and Autopilot, an agent that keeps working while people are away. They reach early-access customers first. Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is giving up on building a personal chatbot for consumers.

Meta built its Connect show around Muse, its AI agent

It showed a keychain gadget and $349 glasses with no camera.

At Connect on September 23, Meta showed Muse Charm, a keychain-sized device for talking to its Muse AI agent, with no price yet. It also launched $349 Ray-Ban glasses without a camera and announced $1,299.99 VR glasses for spring 2027. Muse is coming to Meta’s AI glasses in the coming months.

Amazon lets sellers manage their stores from Claude

It came days after Amazon blocked Meta’s shopping agent. Only two assistants can connect so far.

At its Accelerate event on September 23, Amazon released a beta plugin that lets US sellers manage their Amazon stores from Anthropic’s Claude or Amazon’s own Quick assistant. Sellers can check sales and stock, change prices, and update listings. Amazon says the seller approves every action.

Amazon blocked Meta’s Muse agent, and Shopify welcomed it

Six banks now want rules for AI shoppers.

Amazon began blocking Meta’s personal AI agent Muse on September 20, saying it does not identify itself and appears to store login details. A day later, Shopify said Muse will be able to pay on all Shopify stores. On September 22, six banks published principles for shopping by AI agents.

Developers use Jev as a fast judge inside their apps

It is far cheaper than big models, but not always as accurate.

Early testers use Jev to route requests, check risky agent actions, and grade other models’ work. Vercel reports faster and more accurate safety checks. In one email test, Google’s Gemini was slightly more accurate but 10 to 20 times more expensive.

Cohesity wants backups for AI agents, not just their data

Recovery is the useful idea.

Agent Resilience can map an agent’s memory, settings, and connected systems, then restore a trusted state. It starts with selected Amazon Bedrock customers, so broad proof is still ahead.

Salesforce puts OpenAI models into government workflows

“Secure” still needs a clear meaning.

Missionforce plans to use OpenAI models through Amazon Bedrock and connect some work to ChatGPT. New policy and operations tools promise speed, but public agencies need strict review and audit rules.

Salesforce wants its data and actions inside every AI screen

Permissions are the real interface.

AIforce connects Salesforce records and workflows to Claude, Slack, Amazon tools, and Gemini Enterprise. The idea is useful, but each action still depends on access rules, review, and clear availability.

Claude added 43 small-business workflows

Owners still need a safe way to start small.

Anthropic added 43 workflows and 27 new integrations for leads, invoices, marketing, hiring, and operations. Some can run on a schedule, so owners must set narrow rights and review important messages or payments.

Siri AI is finally on real devices

The beta starts with useful limits.

Apple began the English beta on September 14. Siri can use messages, email, photos, screen content, and app actions, but access depends on device, region, language, and daily cloud limits.

Claude now connects to wealth-management systems

The adviser still owns the decision.

Anthropic released connectors and workflow skills for meeting preparation, portfolio review, records, and compliance checks. Client advice and other regulated work still require human approval.

Salesforce wants one control layer for many AI agents

Most of the unified experience comes later.

The planned Enterprise AI Harness joins business data, actions, security, models, and governance. Some parts exist now, while the unified product is due to start arriving in early fiscal 2028.

Suno rebuilt its music AI with licensed songs

Creators still need clear payment rules.

Suno v6 offers three music models and more control over parts of a song. The company worked with Warner, BMG, and Believe, but the public details do not show how much each artist will earn.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone opens into a 7.6-inch screen

The hinge is only half the test.

The $1,999 iPhone Duo can run two apps side by side. Apple says Apple Pencil support will come later this year. Daily use will show whether apps, battery life, and the folding screen justify the price.

Apple Intelligence is moving into Health

A daily score is not medical advice.

Apple’s new Health app will explain trends and give readiness and “Health Age” scores. Apple says the tools support wellness, but users should take medical questions to a professional.

Apple wants the iPhone camera to prove what it saw

The proof still needs wider support.

Reference Image stores signed sensor data and creates an unchanged comparison photo. It may help show later edits, but it starts inside Apple’s own devices and software.

ChatGPT Images 2.5 makes editing faster

The real upgrade is better control.

OpenAI says its new image model keeps important details during repeated edits and cuts waiting time. New sketch and comment tools also give people clearer ways to guide the result.

Meta’s Muse can send email and make purchases

Trust is now part of the task.

The new US service can work across websites and keep going after a person closes the app. Meta says a separate safety agent checks important actions before they happen.

AXA builds one control room for AI agents in five businesses

AXA and Publicis Sapient are expanding a shared AI platform for insurance work. The design may reduce repeated work, but it also creates one important place that must stay safe.

Gemini can now make a full song

The hard part is using it well.

Google added Lyria 3.5 to Gemini and its developer tools. It can make longer songs with voices, and the developer price starts at eight cents per song.

Google now lets people speak to Gmail, Docs, and Keep

The new voice tools can search email, create a document, and organize notes. Users need to see which private information the AI used.

Meta says its new AI agent can finish work with fewer steps

Meta says Muse Spark 1.3 uses fewer tool calls and fewer tokens than the earlier version. Users should check if it also needs less help when a task goes wrong.

AI assistants are starting to remember whole projects

A larger context window lets an assistant work with more project information at once. The real benefit is not repeating the same background in every chat.